语义问题与人工智能模型构造的系统观点

基于"物理符号系统假设"的传统人工智能采信了低阶结构不连续的思想,将概念化与概念的语义基础分离,把对思维过程的模拟看作是能用形式化方法来实现的。但事实证明,这种后验性方法存在理论和实现上的双重危机,要完成有实际意义的、有创新性的智能行为丰富的语义是必需的,这使语义问题成为人工智能不同应用分支中的焦点,它包括语义获取、表达和使用三个方面。而要实现对语义问题的认识和解决就必须把它和其它智能行为作为一个连续的、相关的、不可分割的认知结构进行完整地考察,以系统的观点来看待智能模型的构造问题。这个认知结构统一性的基石就是基于神经生理基础的、以知觉的心理生理学解释为依据的、对语义的直接表达,这为统一以神经系统动力学为模型的其它各种智能行为提供了基础。     

The relationship between greater mindfulness and less subjective experience of chronic pain: Mediating functions of pain management self‐efficacy and emotional intelligence

Previous research shows a connection between greater mindfulness and less subjective experience of pain. The present study examined whether pain management self‐efficacy and emotional intelligence mediate this relationship in individuals experiencing chronic pain. Two hundred participants experiencing chronic pain completed measures of mindfulness, experience of pain, pain management self‐efficacy, and emotional intelligence. Greater mindfulness was associated with less subjective experience of pain, greater pain management self‐efficacy, and more emotional intelligence. More pain management self‐efficacy and higher emotional intelligence were associated with less subjective experience of pain. Emotional intelligence and pain management self‐efficacy significantly mediated the relationship between mindfulness and pain. The connection between greater mindfulness and less subjective experience of pain may be due to mindfulness providing a foundation for emotional functioning and behavioural regulation that result in reductions in the experience of pain.     

Emotional Intelligence and Creativity: The Mediating Role of Generosity and Vigor

This study examines whether and why emotional intelligence may result in enhanced creativity in the workplace. Using a time‐lagged data set collected from employees in three firms, we examined a mediation model where emotional intelligence is indirectly related to creativity serially, through generosity and vigor. The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate a sequential mediation model where emotionally intelligent employees display a high level of generosity; these acts of generosity nurture a sense of vigor, which in turn fosters creative behaviors. We discuss the implications for research on emotional intelligence, generosity, vigor, and creativity.     

Validity of the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire in sports and its links with performance satisfaction

ObjectiveThis research project consisted of two studies aimed at validating the trait emotional intelligence questionnaire (TEIQue) in a sports sample.DesignStudy 1 used a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate if the original 4-factor structure of the TEIQue could be replicated in a sample of athletes. In addition, we explored the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) and the demographic variables age, sex, type of sport (individual vs. team), expertise, and years of training. Study 2 used a path analysis approach to explore if trait EI is related to performance satisfaction through stress appraisal and coping behaviors.MethodIn Study 1, 973 athletes completed the TEIQue and a demographic questionnaire. In Study 2, 291 athletes completed the TEIQue. Moreover, with a recent competition in mind, they completed the Coping Inventory for Competitive Sports, as well as items on perceived intensity of stress, perceived controllability of stress, challenge and threat appraisals, coping effectiveness, and performance satisfaction.ResultsStudy 1 showed with a CFA that the original 4-factor structure of the TEIQue could be replicated in a sports sample. Of the demographic variables, only age showed a significant positive relationship with trait EI. Study 2 showed that trait EI was related to performance satisfaction through stress appraisal and coping variables.ConclusionsThis research showed that the TEIQue can be used with athletes and that trait EI is useful for understanding certain aspects of sports performance satisfaction.     

Chinese sex differences in intelligence: Some new evidence

Sex differences on the WISC-R in Chinese children were examined in a sample of 788 aged 12 years. Boys obtained a higher mean full scale IQ than girls of 3.75 IQ points, a higher performance IQ of 4.20 IQ points, and a higher verbal IQ of 2.40 IQ points. Boys obtained significantly higher means on the information, picture arrangement, picture completion, block design, and object assembly subtests, while girls obtained a significantly higher mean on coding. The results were in general similar to the sex differences in the United States standardisation sample of the WISC-R. Boys showed greater variability than girls.     

The association between g and K in a sample of 4246 Swedish twins: A behavior genetic analysis

Whereas the heritability of general intelligence (g) is very well documented, there are relatively few reports of the heritability of life history speed (K). Moreover, the correlation between g and K is of great theoretical significance. Here, we examine the heritabilities of g and K in a sample of 2123 complete Swedish twin pairs, as well as looking for evidence of common genetic variance between the two. We find a significant albeit very small correlation between relatively strong measures of g (the Wiener Matrizen Test) and K (the Mini-K; r = .03, p < .05). Controlling for attenuation by reliabilities and imperfect validity using validity generalization increased the correlation to rho = .05 (p < .05). There was no significant common additivity between g and K, however path elimination in behavior genetic structural equations modeling suggests that the small common variance is nonetheless likely to stem from shared additive genetic influences rather than from environmental influences. The implications of this are discussed. Our new estimate of the heritability of the life history in the Swedish population is a particularly significant result, as the heritability of life history speed has never before been established in non-US samples.     

The broad factor of working memory is virtually isomorphic to fluid intelligence tested under time pressure

How much overall variance in fluid intelligence (Gf) can be predicted by four working memory (WM) functions: storage capacity, attention control, relational integration, and updating was investigated under time pressured Gf testing. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the broad WM factor, which was subsumed by these four WM functions, shared 83.4% of variance with Gf tested under pressure, whereas a reanalysis of previous data with the same model showed that only 58.2% variance was shared with virtually untimed Gf tests. Moreover, in timed Gf tests, only the easiest, early items contributed to the WM-Gf correlation, whereas in untimed tests also the hardest, late items were linked with Gf. These results suggest that the measurement of “fast” intelligence primarily taps the functions of WM, whereas “slow(er)” intelligence depends also on some other cognitive processes beyond WM.     

SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER EARTH: THE RECENT HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF EXOPLANETS

The discovery of exoplanets is a small part of the array of scientific arguments for and against the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence. Yet the recent stunning achievement of this program of observational astronomy has had a significant effect on scientific opinion and public interest. It also raises some key theological questions. New observing techniques are leading to the discovery of extrasolar planets daily. Earth‐like planets outside of our Solar System can now be identified and in future years explored for signs of life. This article maps the history of these discoveries and highlights some of the theological issues which are important to bring into dialogue with these scientific insights.